Confutation of Errors of Daniel Williams, Section 3
Sect. III. Of Procuring and Purchasing the Covenant of Grace.
One Great Point in Controversie between the Reformed Churches, and the Remonstrants, was, Whether Christ by his Death did Procure, Purchase and Merit a New Covenant of Grace? The Remonstrants Positively Affirm'd, That Christ did by the Merit of his Death, and Satisfaction, Procure and Enact a Covenant of Grace with sinners. The Reformed Churches, in Opposition unto them, were as Express, That Christ did not Merit the New Covenant of Grace, but that he was the chief Blessing of this Covenant, Promised in Gen. 3. 15. from whom all other Covenant Blessings, such as Reconciliation with God, Remission of Sins, and Eternal Life did as from their Fountain flow; That God in Renewing this Covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and the other Patriarchs and Prophets, in the Old Testament, did first make mention of Christ, as the Seed, in whom their Posterity, together with all Nations, are Blessed. That in regard hereunto it is, that Christ is called a Mediator of the New Covenant, Heb. 8. 6. ch. 9. 15. ch. 12. 24. For the Mediator of the New Testament, and the Promise of this Mediator, must belong to the New Covenant of Grace. Judic. Theol. Exteror, de quin que Artic. Synod. Dordrech. Exhib. an. 1619. pag. 117, 118.
Now it must be yeilded, That a Great Deal turns on this Point; for from this Notion of the Remonstrants, it doth, saith the Learned Voetius (Select. Disp. Theol. Par. 2. (not pag. 133. as Mr. Lobb, in his Defence, p. 23. cites it) but pag. 233, &c. follow, That Christ was not truly our Sponsor; That he did not suffer in our Place and Stead; nor did he in a proper sense Purchase, Merit, or Procure any Blessings for us: which, is, we know, Socinianism all over; notwithstanding which Mr. Williams falls in entirely with it; but Father Alsop as bravely Opposes it.
Mr. Williams.
Still remember, that the Merits of Christ are the Cause of this Gospel Ordination; [viz. of this Covenant of Grace] Pref. to Gosp. Tr. stat. p. 9. Christ by his Righteousness did not only Purchase a Conditional Grant of the Saving Effects; (viz.) that Proposition, He that believes shall be saved. Gospel-Truth, p. 39. And, in his Man made Righteous, p. 103. Christ by His Blood Purchased the better Covenant with all its benefits.
Father Alsop.
We have heard of Procuring, Meriting, Founding a Covenant, but not a Syllable of Evidence. Anti Sozzo, p. 716. I find frequent Assertions of this Doctrine. That the Covenant of Grace is Owing to, Procured by, Founded on the Obedience of Christ's Life, and the Sacrifice of his Death:— and yet I cannot find any Proof; and therefore (till I see Evidence to the contrary) I shall take it for granted that the Covenant of Grace is owing to, founded on, and given forth by that Free Grace of God, from which it is Justly Denominated a Covenant of Grace, though the Intervention of a Mediator, such a Mediator, was Absolutely necessary to put us into the Actual Possession of those Rich Mercies Designed for us by God in the Covenant; which Mediator himself is owing to, founded on that Covenant of Grace; and therefore the Covenant of Grace is not founded upon him. Auti-Sozzo, p. 586. See Page 705, from line 15, &c. And p. 718. Christ cannot be the Foundation of the Covenant, because Christ himself is Promised in the Covenant, as the Great Comprehensive Blessing of the Covenant. Esa 49. 8. 9. He tells us, That God for Christs sake has entred into a Covenant, made a Covenant, his Righteousness and Obedience have procured a Covenant, are the Meritorious cause of a Covenant; when the total Summ of all is no more than this, that God has Promised to Pardon, and save us if we believe and obey the Gospel, tho we obey not Perfectly, p. 695.